Evidence mapPaperPMID 41499015Full record

ArticleJournal of patient-reported outcomes2026

Development of a conceptual model of BKV impacts on health-related quality of life in kidney transplant recipients: a qualitative study.

Courtney N Hurt, Maja Kuharic, Sara Shaunfield, Juergen Beck, Alex Bastian, Kevin Fowler, Emilie Jaeger, Marcus May, Erik van den Berg, John Friedewald and 1 more

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Article in Journal of patient-reported outcomes, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Courtney N HurtMedical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. courtney.hurt@northwestern.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8229-3780
Maja KuharicMedical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3696-9086
Sara ShaunfieldMedical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2878-7223
Juergen BeckMemo Therapeutics, Schlieren, Switzerland.
Alex BastianMemo Therapeutics, Schlieren, Switzerland.
Kevin FowlerMemo Therapeutics, Schlieren, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9240-1308
Emilie JaegerMedical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Marcus MayMemo Therapeutics, Schlieren, Switzerland.
Erik van den BergMemo Therapeutics, Schlieren, Switzerland.
John FriedewaldComprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9344-9928
John D PeipertMedical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5762-7881

Funding

Memo Therapeutics AG Memo Therapeutics AGNCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001422
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBK virus (BKV) is a common latent virus that can reactivate in kidney transplant recipients due to immunosuppressive therapy, potentially leading to graft dysfunction or loss. While clinical management of BKV is well studied, little is known about its broader impact on patients’ daily lives and well-being. No conceptual model currently exists to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impacts of BKV from the patient perspective.

methodsWe conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured concept elicitation interviews with 12 adult kidney transplant recipients who had experienced BKV reactivation. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling to ensure diversity in demographics and clinical experiences. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis with iterative coding, saturation tracking, and structured impact prioritization to develop a conceptual model of BKV-related HRQoL impacts.

resultsParticipants described a range of psychosocial and practical challenges associated with BKV, despite the virus often being asymptomatic. Key themes included emotional distress, fear of graft loss, confusion about treatment, disruption to work and daily routines, and increased burden of care coordination. Many participants reported feeling unprepared and unsupported, often needing to advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. These experiences were synthesized into a conceptual model illustrating the multidimensional impact of BKV on HRQoL.

conclusionsThis study presents the first patient-informed conceptual model of BKV-related HRQoL impacts in kidney transplant recipients. Findings highlight the need for improved patient education, communication, and support strategies. The model provides a foundation for future development of patient-reported outcome measures and interventions that address the unique burdens of BKV in transplant care.

Indexed as

BK VirusKidney TransplantationPolyomavirus InfectionsQuality of LifeTransplant RecipientsTumor Virus InfectionsAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchBKVConceptual modelHealth-related quality of lifeKidney transplantPatient-reported outcomesQualitative research

Identifiers

PMID41499015
PMCPMC12789305

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.